The Warrior Wellness Exercise and Ptsd Study: Screening, Recruitment and Baseline Characteristics
Year: 2018
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Veterans with PTSD have low rates of physical activity (PA), an established predictor of morbidity and mortality, yet few studies have targeted this population for PA promotion. We describe the recruitment of participants for the Warrior Wellness Study, a randomized controlled exercise trial for older veterans with PTSD. The primary aim of this study is to test the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a 12-week supervised exercise program on physical function and psychological well-being. Eligible persons were military veterans ≥ 60 years, with PTSD. The goal was to recruit 45 participants over 2 years. Potential participants were identified through a variety of sources, the majority (88%) were identified from an automated query of the VA’s electronic health record system. Of the 701 patients screened for study participation, 380(54%) were deemed ineligible, and 99(14%) were lost to contact, yielding 222 eligible participants. The participation rate among these individuals was 24% (vs. 10% projected), resulting in 54 enrolled subjects (mean age: 67 years; 83% African American) over 3 years. Utilizing a 2:1 randomization scheme, these 54 participants were randomly assigned to either the Warrior Wellness exercise group (n=37) or usual care, wait-list control (n=17). Despite a slower than expected screening/enrollment period, the Warrior Wellness Study exceeded its recruitment goal. That 24% of eligible patients contacted agreed to participate is encouraging, and suggests that older veterans with PTSD are eager for wellness programs. If the Warrior Wellness intervention is found to be effective, we can utilize the recruitment/screening strategies in a larger trial.
Source: Innovation in Aging
Author: K Hall
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,977
OpenAlex ID: W2900075321